20th Anniversary Letter-Writing Competition, Student Murals Book

The community got a glimpse of that talent via the event’s official letter-writing competition – which asked students their vision for City’s future - and student murals. The letter-writing competition winners, as well as artwork submitted by students, were on display during the event.

Again, the City of Lakewood thanks all of the youth who participated and congratulates those included in the book. As the event’s slogan alludes to, Lakewood truly does have a dynamic future.

Schedule For South Tacoma Way Improvement Project

The following is a schedule of work related to the City of Lakewood’s South Tacoma Way Improvement Project between State Route 512 and 96th Street Southwest:

Monday, June 20, 2016: Electrical conduit installation along the North side of 96th Street across the Pierce Transit driveway; Minor electrical work at Perkins Lane Southwest

Tuesday, June 21, 2016: Electrical work at 100th Street Southwest

Wednesday, June 22, 2016: NIGHT WORK – The road will remain open but may be down to one lane each direction; Electrical crossing at 96th Street

Thursday, June 23, 2016 – NIGHT WORK – The road will remain open, but may be down to one lane each direction; Electrical crossing at 100th Street

For more information on this and other City of Lakewood road projects, visit the City’s website
.

Point Defiance Bypass: Pendleton Lane Closure

(This is a message from Sound Transit)

Starting as early as Wednesday, June 15, one lane of Pendleton Avenue will be closed until Sunday, June 19. In addition, a full road closure of Pendleton Avenue is required every day from midnight to 4 a.m. The road closure is needed so crews can raise the Pendleton rail bridge and bring the track to the proper height.

What to Expect

One lane closed on Pendleton Avenue during the duration of the work

A full road closure every day from midnight to 4 a.m. ­

The state Department of Transportation has contracted with Sound Transit to deliver the track and signal work, which includes upgrading crossings, bridge rehabilitation and construction and retaining wall construction.

The Point Defiance Bypass project includes a new Amtrak passenger train station in Tacoma’s Freighthouse Square, new and upgraded track between Tacoma and DuPont and five reconstructed at-grade crossings, each with advanced warning and signal systems. When all work is complete in 2017 it will provide more frequent, reliable and faster Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service in Washington.

City of Lakewood a Finalist for 'Best Social Media' Presence

This week, the City of Lakewood named one 14 local governments across North America that are up for #TrendingNow Award for Best Social Media Presence by the Emerging Local Government Leaders group. Other communities on the list include Las Vegas, Nev.; Kansas City, Mo.; Hamilton, Ohio and Fort Collins, Colo. ELGL has posted an online poll
to narrow the field down to the Final Four. The deadline to vote is June 21. Please vote for Lakewood, WA to help us move onto the next round!

Summer School Schedule

Classes have let out for the summer, but Summer school for Clover Park School District is about to start (see schedule
). Please drive cautiously!

New Municipal Court Hours of Operation

Effective Monday, June 6, 2016, the Municipal Court Serving Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom and DuPont will offer new hours of operation. The change is taking place as more residents and users access the courts online and more convenient methods.

The new hours of operation:

Counter & Payments: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Phone: 9:00 a.m. - noon & 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

#IamLakewood Photo of the Week

On Friday, June 17, Communications Manager Brent Champaco participated in the Washington Social Media Summit at the headquarters for the Department of Labor & Industries in Tumwater. He spoke about curating content, managing multiple social media accounts and, of course, spoke about the award-winning #IamLakewood campaign. Photo courtesy of the Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development: "Brent Champaco from Lakewood breaking down calendaring in relation to managing social media accounts #WaSocialSummit." Thanks for the mention!

Parks, Recreation and Community Services

Week No. 2 of Farmers Market

This past Tuesday marked Week No. 2 of the Lakewood Farmers Market. Although the day's weather featured grayness and sprinkes, visitors still stopped by for the freshest produce, brightest flowers and most unique items, along with our array of food trucks (and their mouth-watering aromas).

This upcoming Tuesday, June 21, there will be a Sea Day Special Guest where your children can learn about sea life in the Puget Sound and watch a live seafood chef demonstration. There also will be a Master Gardener Speaker on Fruit Trees and Berries from 12:15 p.m.-1 p.m., on the stage.

The Lakewood Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Tuesday throughout the summer, at Lakewood City Hall, 6000 Main St SW.

Economic Development

Developer's Forum

On Wednesday, June 15, 2015, some 80 attendees gathered to hear about development trends and news at the 2nd Lakewood Developers Forum. They also got a primer on why Lakewood is prime for an economic development boom, including:

$55 Million in new infrastructure improvements planned

Free construction watch program

No development impact fees

New 150 acre industrial business park in development (within Port of Tacoma FTZ)

New complete streets urban renewal in historic Colonial Center

Aggressive abatement program, turning over properties for new development (commercial and residential)

New regional outlet mall on I-5 in planning, feasibility and conceptual design

No local B&O tax

Strategically located on I-5, at the 512 Junction

Award-winning school district and two state-of-the-art colleges

Business friendly City Council and wrap-around services to help developers succeed

City Council

The City Council will be holding a regular meeting on Monday, June 20, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 6000 Main Street SW. Agenda items for the meeting include: